PHOTO: Michigan State’s Mackenize Anthony advances the ball against Duke’s steady pressure.

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— Michigan State women’s soccer upsets Texas 3-2 in OT – Tom Shanahan Report

— Michigan State faces Duke in the heart of women’s college soccer – Tom Shanahan Report

By TOM SHANAHAN

DURHAM, N.C. – Yes, Michigan State women’s soccer’s unprecedented success came to an end with a second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet Sixteen. The Spartans fell to Duke 2-0 Sunday at the Blue Devils’ Koskinen Stadium.

But more than the loss, here’s what should be taken away from the match: The words of veteran Duke coach Robbie Church:

“We played at a very high level – no question about it,” Church said. “It’s a tough task when we’re playing that well to come into our home field and to compete with us. We were focused, we were tuned in.”

In other words, this was more than a traditional power simply showing up and beating an upstart program.

It’s especially important to understand for Michigan State’s fans among the novice soccer fans tuning in for the post-season. The program is ascending under fourth-year head coach Jeff Hosler.

PHOTO: I checked out the Spartans while they warmed up at Koskinen Stadium.

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“I want to congratulate Michigan State for a heck of a year,” added Church, whose team has added motivation to send him out a winner with his announced retirement at the end of his 24^th season. “They’re a really, really good team. Jeff and his staff have done a great job in a short time turning that program around. They’re going to be a power for years to come.”

The top-seeded Blue Devils (17-2-1), champions of the ACC, advanced to the Elite Eight for the 10th time since 2011. The Blue Devils have won all three 2024 NCAA matches with shutouts, previously beating Howard 8-0 and Texas Tech 3-0.

Meanwhile, the fifth-seeded Spartans were seeking their first Elite Eight trip in program history after upsetting No. 4 seed Texas Friday in the second round 3-2 in overtime. The Sweet Sixteen was the second in a row, but it also was only the second in program history.

“I’m thrilled with this group,” Hosler said. “I’m so happy with the effort they gave us. To get back to the Sweete Sixteen in consecutive years from where we found it, I proud of the continued growth we showed in our program. I have a lot of debt to these players who just played their last game for us.”

The next step will be for the Spartans to match the talent they faced. Maybe, just maybe, they can keep home national-level recruits such as Lansing Sexton graduate Amalia Villareal, who scored for Texas in the Longhorns’ loss to Michigan State, with more sustained post-season success.

But for now, Duke’s withering pressure was too much to overcome. They Blue Devils posted these staggering statistical advantages: Duke 29 shots and 12 shots on goal to Michigan State’s three shots and none on goal.

Michigan State goalie Kaitlyn Parks recorded 10 saves. Duke goalie Leah Freeman didn’t have to make a save.

But the Spartans did make Duke work for their goals. The defenders supported Parks with numerous blocks. It took 14 shots before Duke junior midfielder Carina Lageyre broke the scoreless tie with just 2:59 left in the first half.

“I think they were really disciplined,” Lageyre said. “Their box defending was great. We love putting crosses in the box. We weren’t getting good finishes on them, but we were relentless in our attack. We continued to press them.”

PHOTO: My press box partner for the Friday-Sunday matches was long-time Triangle sportswriter Kip Coons. Kip, retired from the Durham Morning Herald, had a cameo part in the movie Bull Durham. He played the part of a sportswriter interviewing Durham Bulls’ pitcher Nuke LaLoosh after his first win. Nuke talked about a tublar experience. This was before Kevin Costner’s character taught him how to talk to the media.

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Lageyre scored when she tapped in the ball Ella Hasse controlled after a cross from the right side by Mary Long. It was Duke’s 66^th goal of the year, setting a school season record.

Duke’s second goal was with 36:23 left in the second half. Parks saved a shot from the right by Mia Oliaro, but Devin Lynch was able to tap in the goal with Parks having fallen to the turf on the effort. Olario, Duke’s sophomore transfer from North Carolina, shares the team lead in assists with fifth-year senior Ella Haase.

Something else Hosler said he will take from the season was the enthusiasm created for the program on campus. The game against Michigan drew a crowd of 5,000.

He said he received messages and pictures sent to him from Friday night’s Purdue-Michigan State football game at Spartan Stadium. He learned while the soccer team was playing Texas in a 4 p.m. match shown ESPN-Plus, MSU football fans who were tailgating set up TVs to watch women’s soccer.

“I think it continues to demonstrates how we continue to grow the game,” Hosler said. “Women’s soccer is an excellent sport, and it deserves more eyeballs on it. It’s a great product.”

One that even in defeat drew the respect of Duke’s powerhouse program.

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Tom Shanahan is an award-winning sportswriter and frequent contributor to Spartanamag.com. His new book on Michigan State leading college football integration is, “THE RIGHT THING TO DO, The True Pioneers of College Football Integration in the 1960s.” His first book was “RAYE OF LIGHT, Jimmy Raye, Duffy Daugherty, the Integration of College Football and the 1965-66 Michigan State Spartans.”

I invite you to follow me on Twitter @shanny4055

Below are links to click on to purchase my books focused.

My books tell the true story of college football integration in the 1960s and address the myths and fiction that allowed a false narrative surrounding the 1970 USC-Alabama game to usurp the credit from the true pioneers. As I said when I spoke at the National Sports Media Association book festival, no two books provide an accurate portrayal more than RAYE OF LIGHT and THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I’ll put my facts up against anybody, anytime, anywhere. Watch here.

Click here for my story on the 1962 Rose Bowl and Segregation awarded first place by the Football Writers Association of America. I tell untold stories on Michigan State’s leading role and the true pioneers of college football integration. Click here to read the summary as a first-place story.

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Click here to purchase The Right Thing To Do

THE RIGHT THING TO DO

The True Pioneers of College Football Integration in the 1960s

Foreword by Ruffin McNeill

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Click here to purchase Raye of Light.

RAYE OF LIGHT

Jimmy Raye, Duffy Daugherty, the 1ntegration of College Football and the 1965-66 Michigan State Spartans

Foreword by Tony Dungy

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Click here to purchase my children’s book, Bubba’s Dad, Duffy and College Football’s Underground Railroad

The book for now is only a Kindle version on Amazon. Print and audio platforms available soon.

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